Torch support



Feb. 15, 1944. M. E. WILLOUGHBY TORCH SUPPORT Filed July 1, 1942 5 {NVENTOK BY a? Patented Feb. 15, 1944 F UN T D STATES RATE-N .QFFICE- TORCH SUPPORT Mark E. Willoughby, Superior, Wis.

Application July 1, 1942, Serial No. 449,336

2 Claims. (Cl. 266-23) This invention relates to torch supports and track therefor and is an improvement developed from the practical use of the more simple support of this character patented by me in the United States and numbered 2,281,814.

The principal object of the instant invention is to provide a combination of cooperative instrumentalities with which to not only expedite operations in the art of metal cutting and the like but to insure maximum efficiency of the job when accomplished.

Another object is to provide simple and convenient guiding means for the three point support and whereby to guard against undesirable tipping or rocking of the torch when thus supported.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the further description thereof.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this application and in which like reference characters indicate like parts.

Fig. l is a front elevation of the inverted V shaped support.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the union of a vertical support and a lean-to or branch 5, attached thereto.

Fig. 3 is a reduced end view of the track for such a support.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a reduced elevation of the improved supports as applied to a torch and Fig. 6 is an elevation of the torch engaging end of the single legged support, shown in Fig. 5.

The integral inverted V shaped support is illustrated in Fig. l and consists of the central slotted stem portion I for straddling engagement with the multiple tubular neck of the torch such as shown in Fig. 5.

This stem is common to the two hollow cylindrical inclined leg portions 2 and which latter carry therein the axially adjustable split shank portions 3 of the ball holding or caster like members, the balls of same being illustrated at 4.

This latter combination is preferably identical with that illustrated in my patent supra and obviously provides for any vertical adjustment of the torch held thereby as well as any desired angular tilting of the torch, within the limits of the opposite axial adjustment of the legs of the support.

In Fig. 2 is shown a combination of stem portions of the cylindrical legs 5 and 6 which represents the slotted stem of a single adjustable support such as shown in my patent supra and wherein the slot 1 is in axial alignment with the leg 6 and may prove just as eflicient if such leg be integral with the shank 8.

However, this illustration is made to demonstrate a combination of lean-to or inclined leg with one of the single supports already known in the art whereby the benefits of an inverted V shaped support may be readily had by simple attachment of a leg as shown at 5 having an angle flange 9 formed integral therewith for simple attachment, for example, by the screw bolts lO-l 0 to the stem 8 of the leg 6, such a lean-to or branch leg per se being deemed novel in the art either in this form or as illustrated at l I in Fig. 5 wherein the stem may be of slotted form exactly as shown at either I or 8 in the other views and the hollow leg I 3 extending substantially vertically, thus forming a single legged support, preferably for that part of the torch l4 adjacent the handle portion [5, and one that will adjust itself to any reasonable tilting of the torch.

With this assembly and as illustrated in Fig. 5 where the inverted V shaped support adjacent the nozzle of the torch is of the type illustrated in Fig. 2, we have what might properly be termed a three point support for a torch.

Such form of support will obviously insure against tipping up or down of the handle of the torch and result in an ideal out being made.

Now to prevent any pivotal swinging of the torch when being used I have found a track section such as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 very practical and eflicient, it being composed of channellike parallel sections [6 and either integral or firmly attached to cross members N.

This track member may be of any desired length convenient for the job in hand and I have found a length of three feet quite practical with cross members I! about a foot apart.

It is to be noted that a certain somewhat unexpected advantage accrues from use of the assembly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing when straight cutting of a flat surface is practiced.

This is due to the fact that the natural inclination of the slotted stem results in the nozzle of the torch being held at a like angle without any special adjustment of the legs of the support being made.

The advantage of this inclination of the nozzle of the torch which results in a sort of preheating of the surface being operated upon is well known to torch users in accomplishing a much cleaner and quicker out, and to one already in possession of a single vertical support, only the application of a lean-to as above described is essential to the proper equipment for such purpose.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by this patent, is:

1. The combination with a single legged axially adjustable torch support having torch engaging means extending axially from the upper end thereof, of a lean-to leg removably attached at its upperend adjacent the upper end of said first mentioned leg whereby to provide a support for holding said torch at a variable predetermined angle.

2. An inverted V-shaped torch support comprising two axially adjustable leg members rigidly united at one end to form said inverted V- shape and carrying at the apex thereof means for clamping engagement with a torch whereby a predetermined angular position of said torch may be maintained by said support, further characterized by said legs being removably attached together whereby to provide convenient use of MARK E. WILLOUGHIBY 

